The young girl was on the verge of being ruined, and the reason was that he himself had threatened and enticed her to pass on information. Song Jue, after all, was a young master from a distinguished family who had received excellent upbringing. His heart was soft—he couldn’t bear to see her truly have her life destroyed this way. In a moment of softheartedness, he had someone summon a physician for her.
But he soon discovered the enormous trouble that this momentary compassion had brought him.
Three days later, the First Master and Second Master of the Li family arrived together at the door demanding to see their niece. They refused to even drink a sip of the tea that was served, let alone listen to Song Jue speak.
“I’ve never seen such a way of doing things!” First Master Li looked at Song Jue with a hoarse voice, his expression quite impatient. “Our niece has been back for nearly two months now, and we haven’t seen her even once. Every time we come, you all make endless excuses and won’t let us see her. Just what kind of propriety is this? I know my younger sister did wrong, but after all, Aning isn’t just her daughter alone—she’s also a girl of your Song family. For you to mistreat her like this, isn’t it too excessive?”
Compared to First Master Li, Second Master Li was much more mild-mannered. He frowned slightly and waited for First Master Li to finish before looking at Song Jue with a pleasant expression. “Although my elder brother’s words were somewhat severe, they’re not entirely without reason. Even if our two families can’t become in-laws anymore, we should still be considered old family friends. Now that you’re mistreating a young girl like this and won’t even let us maternal relatives see her, it truly is rather inhumane. The New Year is approaching, and she’s so gravely ill that she can’t even come to her maternal family to pay New Year respects. Are you still afraid of us seeing her?”
Brand new lanterns were already hanging outside the Earl’s residence. The north wind blew, making them sway violently. Song Jue glanced out the window, and after careful consideration, he brought out the same explanation the Imperial Physicians had used. “Please forgive us, Second Elder Uncles. It’s truly not that we won’t let you see her. It’s just that Eighth Miss’s illness could accidentally be contagious if one isn’t careful…”
First Master Li finally let out a cold laugh, tossing out a remark with the arrogance of an elder toward a junior, looking down from above. “Whether it’s real illness or fake illness is truly hard to say. Moreover, we’re her uncles—should we not see her just because she’s gravely ill? The fire at the Earl’s residence a few days ago has already spread throughout the streets and alleys. People say that judging by the direction, it was right where Aning lives. Just what exactly is the Changning Earl’s residence up to?!”
“People say? I wonder who these people are?” Old Master Song pushed open the door and entered, still wearing his formal visiting attire. He glanced at both men from the Li family, then immediately pressed on with questioning: “Speaking of this matter, I was just wanting to ask you uncles about it. We sent people to investigate and learned that the news about the Earl’s residence catching fire came from a storyteller at Juyi Tower, and that storyteller said it was revealed to him by a kitchen steward from your residence.”
Old Master Song was rarely so aggressive. He let out a cold laugh and asked: “We were still wanting to ask you two uncles what this is all about, yet instead you’ve come to our door first to demand an explanation.”
First Master Li looked at Second Master Li in astonishment, lowering his head to cough a few times. His face felt hot with embarrassment, but remembering the Old Master’s instructions, he still steeled himself to argue a few words: “That’s also because you all are blocking us and won’t let us see her! Right now we don’t even know if she’s alive or dead, and you’re doing everything possible to prevent us from seeing her. What other choice do we have?”
“So you slandered our Earl’s residence for setting fire to burn our own young lady?” Old Master Song waved his hand to interrupt Second Master Li’s impending rebuttal, glancing at them meaningfully. “Some words, if spoken too carelessly, might bite your own tongue. Regarding Li Shi’s matter, our Earl’s residence has already saved plenty of face for your Li family. You’re well aware of how that fire that alarmed the Five Cities Military Commission at our residence came about. If you really force us to tear off all pretense of cordiality, our family will certainly lose some face, but your family’s consequences won’t be limited to just losing face—am I right?”
Now that Old Master Song and Old Madam Song were both not in the capital, Old Master Song’s attitude represented the Song family’s attitude. First Master Li and Second Master Li still lacked sufficient courage to tear off all pretense. They left the Song residence in a huff.
They themselves had children under their care, and their daughters were already betrothed. If Song Chuning’s matter were to spread, the Song family would certainly lose face, but for the Li family it would be far more than just losing face.
They couldn’t take this risk—the Crown Prince’s Grand Imperial Grandson and another Young Master were about to select their tutors, and there was a strong possibility that Old Master Li would be among the candidates. If Song Chuning’s matter got out at this time, it would be utterly counterproductive.
Second Master Li sighed and looked at his father, snorting with considerable disapproval. “Speaking of it, she herself was too ruthless, never knowing to leave any margin in her actions. The Song family still doesn’t know that she had a hand in Song Yi’s matter. If they knew…”
“Shut your mouth!” Old Master Li threw his brush at him, his beard bristling with anger. “Is this something you should be saying? If you drink two cups of wine outside and start spouting nonsense, I doubt you have enough lives to fill the void! What about Song Yi? He committed his own offense and was impeached by the Censors—what does it have to do with Aning, and what does it have to do with our family?! Others can’t distance themselves fast enough, yet you’re putting the chamber pot on your own head!”
Second Master Li had always feared his father like a tiger. Seeing Old Master Li so angry, though he still felt somewhat unconvinced in his heart, he ultimately didn’t dare argue further.
First Master Li came out to play peacemaker. “Second Brother has discretion—he won’t say such things outside.” Seeing Old Master Li’s expression soften slightly, he continued: “Father, I think Second Brother also has a point. We really don’t need to completely tear off all pretense with the Changning Earl’s residence over just one Eighth Miss. You’re about to become the future Imperial Tutor…”
Old Master Li’s expression darkened as he glared at both brothers, sitting in his armchair and letting out a heavy sigh. “Where is it as simple as you think? Eighth Miss helped us establish a connection with Prince Duan, and our family now relies on Prince Duan to conduct business beyond the passes. Do you think we can extricate ourselves just because we want to?”
If Prince Duan hadn’t hinted that he should protect Song Chuning, he wouldn’t need to risk completely tearing off pretense with the Earl’s residence by going to their door repeatedly to make himself unwelcome.
Moreover, having received word, he truly might not become the Grand Imperial Grandson’s tutor after all—the Crown Prince seemed to favor Lu Mengting, the Assistant Director of the Imperial Academy, more.
“Then is there no other way? Prince Duan is good and all, but the Crown Prince’s health is visibly improving day by day…” Second Master Li was somewhat anxious. “Could it be that for the sake of those profits beyond the passes, we’ll bind ourselves to death on Prince Duan’s ship?”
First Master Li was also very vexed. “You make it sound simple. If you want to dissolve the partnership now, do you know how many troubles will follow one after another? Moreover, you’re not unaware of our family’s situation. Without that income from the business beyond the passes, I’m afraid we’d struggle even to make ends meet…”